It doesn’t matter where a Broughton Park XV might lie in a League it is always, and historically has been, a test to any side to gain a result at their home ground. Whether it might have been at their old ground at Chelsfield Grove or now at Maldeth Road West.

After a concerning week for the Vale management, they had managed to produce a side, firstly to travel to Park and secondly to take to the field of play.

Note the above comment – any side will find it difficult to gain a result at Park !!

The Broughton Park 2nd XV were lying in the relegation positions of this competitive Baines Plumbing League. On todays performance it might be wondered how this could possibly be the case. Of course the Vale 2nd XV were mid table but in point of fact only 5 points off a 2nd place position.

A warming up session not only was needed to loosen the body up, but primarily to let the lads get to know one another, there were numerous changes in the side.

Tom Needham and James Hesketh were prime leaders in the side actually both playing away from their normal positions. This in itself was a disruptive element to the side.

The front row of Matt Mount, Matti Davenport and George Hoysten were certainly there to hold their own in the set play. George Hoysten a particularly sizeable fella. He is worth watching indeed !!

At second row Adam Foxcroft who was going to clean up in the line out certainly on the Vales throw in and Tom Needham, again playing out of position but with Adam they were locking the scrum admirably.

To complete the eight, Luke Shepherd was to prove to be a driving force taking the ball into the thick of the Park defence at regular intervals. James Hesketh playing his heart out in this re-jigged side but let’s face it James is a 100% er in any game.

To complete the pack it was good to see Joe Wallbank in dominating form playing from the rear of the scrum and indeed the rear of the lineout. It was his first game back for a while but lost none of his physicality and he was my nominated Man of the Match.

In this phase of the game, the tight phases, the Vale eight were in fact on top, powerful in their scrummaging and certainly 50% gains in the lineout.

The threequarters were met with a pacey physical set against them but Vales defence in many aspects is renowned. The diminutive Callum Reardon at scrum half was not in any way awed by the speed of the Park side at scrum time . At flyhalf Louis Orne was secure but had to leave the field after a serious shoulder injury proved too painful to allow him to continue.

In the middle of the Park, Matt -play anywhere Field – was solid throughout and at times showing no mean pace. Connor Roach alongside was proving to be valuable in support but the sheer pace of the Park side was proving over whelming.

Rob Duffy and David Penrice on the wings were at times under severe pressure and Harry Evans at fullback was a lone defensive body as wave after wave of Park players were firing in his direction. Andy Daniels, propping for Park had to leave the field with a neck injury, remember him, as a useful senior referee now playing as a front row forward, making the scrummaging a non-contested situation. Some wag suggested it was a tactical move on Parks behalf, they were getting screwed somewhat in the scrummaging phases.

Actually, they were 30 points to the good at this stage.

Scores were coming frequently as the pace of their three quarters picked up testing the Vales defence to the limit, but inevitably to be broken at regular intervals as the score built up.

7 points after 8 minutes, 14 points after 15 minutes, 19 points at mid time in the first half 26 points on the half hour, 31 points after the turn round when Vale were to enjoy a slight breeze. 38 points on 47 minutes and 45 points on 61 minutes when Referee Chris Meadows called the game.

The gallant Vale XV realised they had been up against a physical pacey XV on the day, although sure that the Park side felt it might just be payback time for the 33 point “thrashing !!” they had endured at Powderhouse Lane early season.

There is no doubt they will now climb away from the foot of the Baines Plumbing Division One League !! They are indeed a true Rugby Club in the real name of the game and always have been !!!
The Vale XV.

Matt Mount
Matti Davenport
George Hoysten
Tom Needham
Adam Foxcroft
Joe Wallbank
Luke Shepherd
James Hesketh
Callum Reardon
Louis Orne
David Penrice
Matt Field
Connor Roach
Rob Duffy
Harry Evans
Connor McFarlane.